Pittsgrove girls give donations to disabled veterans in Vineland

VINELAND — What started as a tag-a-long-with-Dad to a childcare conference at

View full sizeSubmitted photoKeith Jackson (center) with daughters Leigha (right) and Kerri (left) who donated their earnings at the QualityCare childhood development conference last Columbus Day to disabled American veterans at the Vineland Veteran's Home.

Cumberland County College on Columbus Day, turned into donations for disabled Vineland veterans, when two young girls had a special idea.

“I was selling copies of my book and they wanted to join me and sell their small crafts,” said Keith Jackson, their father.

Jackson, of Pittsgrove Twp., is the author of “I Forgot My Lunch Money!” a 2009 children’s book that teaches children to not listen to rumors that quickly spread around.

The main character of the book is based off Jackson’s daughter Leigha, 9, who helped him write the book based on an experience she had.

Along with her 7-year-old sister, Kerri, they both planned to give away their various homemade bookmarkers, luggage bags and beverage coasters for free and only ask for small donations.

But after a trip to the cinema, the girls decided to add a new twist to their donations.

“It’s a great story,” Jackson recalled. “They both watched the movie “Dolphin Tale” and equated it to people that come back from wars wounded.”

The two girls wanted to give their donations to the wounded veterans at the Vineland Veterans Home.

“It was an incredible idea,” Jackson said. “So, I helped them flesh it out.”

The day before the conference, Jackson quickly trashed the old posters he’d created to set up at the conference and made new brightly decorated posters to let people know where the donations are going.

“We redid our advertisements and made sure it was made sure where the donations were going,” Jackson said.

When the day of the event arrived, the girls gave away everything they had within two hours.

And the donations overflowed.

“We were able to donate $200 to the disabled veterans,” Jackson said. “This will hopefully procure one or two ‘Make-A-Wish’ type of events. It could help bring them to a ball game or go out for lunch. It’s really a great thing.”

The total of donations came from the donations received at the event, along with a portion of the book sales and a private donation from Jackson’s consultation company, KJ Education Consultants.

This is not the first time, however, the girls have given back to their community.

“Last year, Leigha held her birthday at the Cumberland County SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals),” Jackson said. “Her friends and family enjoyed the animals and a nice tour of the facility.”

But when it came time for presents, Leigha refused.

“She asked anyone that was attending to instead of bringing presents and gifts to bring SPCA donations, such as food or a leash,” Jackson said. “She didn’t want any presents. Her wish was for (the SPCA) to get the presents.”

Leigha has a 10-year-old Labrador mix named Belle that her family purchased from the CCSPCA a few years ago.

Though the girls have no immediately plans set as what their next service to their community will be, Jackson says he will continuously encourage them.

“I will do everything in my power to encourage and support the girls with their philanthropic ventures,” Jackson said.